Our mind is constantly going…it never stops, we are always thinking about something…our thoughts jump around all over the place, from one thing to another, often without any rhyme or reason.   I have always been intrigued by people who are able to meditate and who are able to reach that place of complete calmness and peace.

Meditation is a system that brings about both mental and physical calm and relaxation, by using techniques that cut down on the amount of internal mental “chatter” that we all have going on all the time.  Meditation can also be described with words such as: concentrated attention, mental quietness, focused awareness, contemplation, turning the mind inwards. 

When we are “in the present” and not worrying about the past or the future we are able to reach a certain level of peace.  The stresses of the past and the future become much less important to us.  With meditation we can learn how to be more in the “here and now” during the time we are meditating- the effects of this slowly start to spill over into the rest of our life- so that the past and the future increasingly have less and less power to cause stress to us- and you will be able to deal with any crisis in a much more relaxed and efficient manner. 

When we are meditating, what are we trying to do?  First, we are trying to slow the chattering of our thoughts down.  Secondly, we are gently directing our mind to a peaceful and restful place.  Thirdly, we are creating a state where we are “in the present.” 

Meditation is a way of gently training our minds and thoughts, so that they are not so much a source of stress for us as they were before.  Therefore allowing us to be more relaxed, more efficient, and more in the “here and now”, as opposed to being caught up in the thoughts and stresses that we have from the past and or the future.

I believe that “living in the present” is a very hard thing to do.  I have tried to live each day with this motto…but my mind will almost always go back to the past or jump forward and I find myself worrying about the future.  If our mind is peaceful and content, we can begin to find true happiness.  Isn’t that what we all want?  I know happiness is at the top of my list.  If am internally at peace…nothing can break that.  I know there are going to be many ups and downs and curves along the way, but happiness begins within…and meditation can help you achieve true happiness.

The first stage of meditation is to stop any distractions and make your mind become clearer and lucid.  This can be accomplished by practicing a simple breathing meditation.  Find a quiet, comfortable place to begin.  This can be done in any position that is comfortable to you.  The most important thing is to keep your back straight, to prevent your mind from becoming sluggish or sleepy.  Sit with your eyes partially closed and turn your attention to your breathing.  Breathe naturally through your nostrils.  Become aware of the sensations of breathing.  Focusing on your breath is the first step of meditation, and anyone can do this at any time throughout their lives.  It is never too late to begin the practice of meditation and breath work.

Katherine O’Shaughnessy

Harris School, 2007